Top things to do in Budapest
Many of the main things to see in Budapest are free to visit, making this city a budget friendly destination.
St Stephen’s Basilica
St Stephen’s basilica is a Roman Catholic Church and the largest church in Budapest. It has its name to honor the first king of Hungary, whose right hand is mummified and kept on display to see in the basilica. There are different ticket options depending on what parts of the church you want to visit. The prices range from 2400 (£5) Hungarian forint to 6200 (£13) Hungarian forint for an adult. If you visit on a Monday, plan your visit for around 4pm as each Monday at 4:30pm there is an organ concert for around 60-90 minutes.
Fisherman’s Bastion
Fisherman’s bastion was built between 1895-1902 as part of the 1000th birthday celebrations of the Hungarian state. It is located in the Buda castle district. There are panoramic views of the city from the bastion making it a popular attraction for tourists and locals. The towers, terraces, most of the hillside stairs and lower balconies of fisherman’s bastion are free to visit. If you want to visit the upper towers and turrets there is a fee of 1500 Hungarian forint (£3). I personally didn’t visit the upper towers and turrets as everything I wanted to see was free.
Széchenyi Chain Bridge
Szechenyi Chain bridge is a bridge that connects Buda and Pest across the Danube river. It is the oldest suspension bridge in Budapest and is 375 meters long. The bridge has appeared in tv shows, movies and also Katy Perrys music video for ‘Firework’.
Liberty Bridge
Liberty bridge is another bridge in Budapest that also connects Buda to Pest across the Danube river. It’s definitely not as impressive or as famous as the chain bridge but should still be added to your list of things to see. Liberty bridge is 334 meters long.
Hungarian Parliament Building
Hungarian parliament building is a popular tourist destination in Budapest. The building has a mixture of different styles of architecture making it very grand and beautiful. You are able to visit the outside for free but you can buy a ticket to go inside.
You can take a boat trip along the Danube at night where you pass the Hungarian parliament building light up.
View of The Hungarian Parliament Building from the night river cruise
Shoes on the Danube
This is a memorial along the river bank that was erected in 2005. It’s to honour the Jews who were murdered in December 1944 and January 1945. They were forced to take off their shoes and were shot at the edge of the river so that their bodies fell in. It’s a moving place to visit, when you look at the shoes and think what both those adults and children went through.
Széchenyi Thermal Baths
These are the largest thermal baths in Europe and one of the top places to visit when in Budapest. There are over 15 baths, both inside and outside aswell as saunas and steam rooms. In the center of the main outside pool is a whirlpool that’s was lots of fun to go in. The water gently pushes you round in a circle, you can enter and exit it easily.
There are different ticket prices depending on which package you want and what day you visit. I chose the daily ticket with locker, having the locker space meant you were able to safely store all your belongings inside your changing room and access it using an electronic wristband.
NOTE: Remember to bring swimwear, a towel and flip flops! Also, if you have long hair, it has to be tied up.
Hungarian State Opera House
The Hungarian state Opera house is located in the center of Budapest and is second largest opera house in both the city and the country. Construction of the opera house started in 1875 and 9 years later it was complete and opened in September 1884. It is still used today for performances and you can also take a 60 minute guided tour inside. The guided tour provides the history of the building and you are able to visit the beautifully designed auditorium. You are also able to watch a short performance from a few of the opera singers on the staircase. Tickets cost 10,500 Hungarian forint (£22).
Vajdahunyad Castle
Vajdahunyad castle is a castle located in the city park. The castle is different from others as it’s a castle that shows how the architectural style changed throughout the years and is surrounded by a small boating lake. You are able to visit and go up close to the castle for free. If you would visit the museum in the castle, tickets cost 2,500 Hungarian forint (£5) and tickets for the gate tower cost 400 Hungarian forint (80p).
Heroes Square
This square is located right next to the city park, near Vajdahunyad castle. The square is a tribute to the founders of Hungary and to some of the country’s national leaders and important figures. The square was built in 1896 as part of the 1000th birthday celebrations of Hungary, just like Fisherman’s Bastion.
Hospital in the Rock Museum
This museum is located in the Buda castle district. The museum is a former war time hospital, secret nuclear bunker and an air raid shelter. It served as a hospital during World War Two and later on it was used as a nuclear bunker during the Cold War. The museum starts with a short video and then you’re given a guided tour. You get to explore the tunnels and rooms in the bunker, the medical equipment used at the time and learn about the history that it played during the wartime. This is somewhere different to visit in Budapest and allows you to understand the role it played at different points in history. An adult tickets costs 9644 Hungarian forint (£20.50). Prices vary for students, seniors, children etc.
Entrance to the Hospital in the Rock Museum
Matthias Church (The Church of our Lady of Buda Castle)
The church of our lady of buda castle, also known as the Matthias Church is a Catholic Church, located in the Buda castle district, close to Fisherman’s Bastion.
To visit the church, tickets cost 4,700 Hungarian forint (£10) with an audio guide and 3,100 (£6.50) Hungarian forint. To visit the tower, it is an extra 3,700 Hungarian forint (£8). I visited without an audio guide and spent about 20 minutes inside. Unfortunately, the tower was closed when I visited.
Matthias Church
Buda Castle
Buda castle is (you guessed it), located in the Buda castle district! It used to be called the royal palace as many Hungarian kings used to live here. Today, the castle houses the Hungarian notional gallery, the Budapest history museum and the national széchényi library. You’re able to walk to the front of the castle and have a panoramic view of the Pest side of the city for free. You can visit the royal palace inside the castle.
Buda Castle
Central Market Hall
Central market hall is the largest and oldest indoor market in the city. There are a variety of stalls selling souvenirs, meat, cheeses, spices, chocolate, vegetables, fruit, pastries etc. I bought a small bag of sweet paprika, a bag of saffron from a stall and some delicious pastries. There are also places to grab some food.
Main entrance of Central Hall Market
Cat cafe
If you’re looking to do something a bit different in the city and love cats, I really recommend visiting the Cat Cafe. The cafe is a 2 minute walk from St Stephen’s Basilica with friendly cats and a nice stop for a drink and a cake. They have 15 cats living there at the moment, some of them are rescue cats, and are very well looked after. The cats have their own space to retreat to if they wish to not be around the humans and there are rules in place to keep them happy and safe. The cafe is really clean and the cats food, litter trays etc are all kept downstairs and out of the way of customers.
Restaurant recommendations:
Ket Szerecsen - chicken paprikash!!!
